I recently finished my first cycle of IVF which resulted in a chemical pregnancy (early miscarriage). I had 12 eggs collected, 3 fertilised and only 1 to transfer which was a 5 day blastocyst.
Going into this process was so much tougher than I ever imagined. I didn't necessarily think it would work first time; but I always assumed that I would have a few frozen embryos to use in later cycles. Unfortunately the only couple of friends I have who have been through IVF were first-time-positives so their experiences have been vastly different to mine.
I'm not sure what to expect starting my second IVF cycle from scratch. I am hoping for a different protocol this time (I was previously on long protocol and was injecting for 35 days). Does anyone have any advice on what questions I should ask at my follow-up appointment?
I'm trying to stay positive (as evidenced in below IVF merchandise) but this is tough road which seems never-ending!
I can completely relate to this post. I remember when my first cycle ended in an early miscarriage, I was absolutely devastated as I had nothing to freeze either and I’d always thought that if it didn’t work then I would have got some frozen and wouldn’t have to start again. I also did long protocol and had similar numbers to you and not the best fertilisation rate.
I wish I had pushed more for a change of protocol but I didn’t know any better and had two more pretty similar fresh rounds on long after. We then moved clinics for number 4, they put me on short and I had much better results, 90% fertilisation rate and ended up with THREE perfect Frosties! I do think short protocol for me was much better for egg quality.
Also if you haven’t used one yet, I really recommend an embryoscope (time lapse incubator). We used one on rounds 3 and 4 and our embryos did much better in them than the standard lab environment.
Wishing you all the best of luck for your follow up xx
Im so sorry to read your first cycle ended in a chemical pregnancy, it’s so heartbreaking.
I didn’t ever have a chemical but I did have two long protocol rounds of IVF (using Menopur as the stim drug) both resulting in BFNs with no Frosties despite having a good fertilisation rate and several blastocysts each time (just not good enough to freeze 😔).
On our third round I did a bit of research and made a few changes; I had a mixture of Menopur and Gonal F, took testosterone gel for a short period, added clexane injections and used time lapse embryoscope. Still long protocol but those were the changes I made with support from the clinic.
I had similar numbers with two good blastocysts on day 5 (that had happened both previous rounds) and opted to have both put back as I couldn’t bare to throw any away again. I’m not sure if any of that worked or if it was just luck but I now have 5 month old twins and still pinch myself every day that it actually worked!
It may be worth just asking your clinics view on any of those things?
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